few embody that ideal better than tim geithner. that's why when tim was thinking about leaving a couple of years ago -- [ laughter ] >> i had to personally get on my knees with carol to help convince him to stay on a little bit longer. and i could not be more grateful to carol and the entire geithner family for allowing him to make the sacrifices that so many of our cabinet members ask of their families in serving the country. the fact is while a lot of work remains, especially to rebuild a strong middle class and offer working folks new pathways to rise into the middle class, our economy is better positioned for tomorrow than most of those other countries hit by the financial crisis. the tough decisions tim made and carried out deserve a lot credit for that. so i understand that tim is ready for a break. obviously we're sad to see him go. but i cannot think of a better person to continue tim's work at treasury than jack lew. now this is bittersweet not only because tim's leaving, but also because jack's been my chief of staff for